Tuesday, 23 September 2008 13:24

Forward Thinking in Maritime Transport Research

Rosyth- Zeebrugge Ferry Service

Latest development in the reinstatement of the ferry service Rosyth-Zebrugge, using Visentini ships reflects the earlier visionary work carried out at TRI (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/18085550). Revisiting the projects carried out by TRI, Edinburgh Napier University between 1998 and today it shows that the Institute’s research has very often predicted future developments, reflecting the relevance of applied research carried out in this field.

TRI’s role in evaluating the Rosyth-Zebrugge service began in 1998-2000 with the EC PACT (Pilot Actions for Combined Transport) programme, the forerunner to Marco Polo. That work demonstrated the potential feasibility of the route. Edinburgh Napier TRI was then commissioned to help develop the tender process and advise Scottish Enterprise and its partners on the search and selection of Superfast Ferries during 2000-2002.

In 2005 TRI’s subsequent research on behalf of Scottish Enterprise and Forth Ports identified the Visentini ship type as the most efficient ropax ferry for the route. The applicability of this is now proven with Norfolk Line as the new operator on the route selecting exactly this type of vessel: http://www.norfolkline.com/ferry/.

Northern Isles Ferry Service

In 2006 TRI also proposed the use of two highly efficient Visentini ropax ship types for an extended innovative lifeline service between Rosyth-Aberdeen/Peterhead-Orkney-Shetland (EC SUTRANET project 2004-2007, www.sutranet.org). In this scenario it was argued that two large vessels could replace 5-6 smaller ships, still ensuring a daily schedule between mainland Scotland and the islands. The projected benefits included saving several million pounds annually in subsidies as well as generating emission reductions and modal shift opportunities (in moving freight between NE Scotland and Rosyth by sea instead of road).

Scotland-Norway Ferry Service

Currently, TRI is leading the NORSHUKON (Norway-Shetland-UK-Continent) initiative within the EC Interreg StratMoS project (Strategic Motorways of the Sea in the North Sea Region). NORSHUKON should lead to further enhancements for Rosyth services to both Zeebrugge and Kristiansund in Norway over the next year or so. Also part of StratMoS work is the Demonstration Project 'Offshore Hub' container transhipment development in the north of Scotland (Scapa Flow). The offshore hub concept could result in Scotland becoming an efficient logistics platform for Northern Europe and Scandinavia/Baltic.

River Ferry Services in Scotland

Edinburgh Napier TRI have been further actively involved since 1998 in commissioned research studies investigating the feasibility of passenger ferry services on the Firth of Forth and River Clyde. Studies undertaken on behalf of local authorities are expected to result in a tender for a comprehensive 'Riverbus' passenger ferry service connecting various destinations along the River Clyde as far inland as Glasgow Central. On the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh Napier TRI are presently working with transport operators and transport agencies to help bring about the kind of frequent high quality passenger ferry services most other waterfront cities around the world take for granted.

UK Coastal Motorway of the Sea (MoS) Ferry Service

Between 2000-2002 Edinburgh Napier TRI together with Heriot-Watt University investigated the feasibility of coastal roro services in the UK to take freight freight traffic from road to sea. Since then the European Commission has asked member states to bring forward national Motorways of the Sea (MoS) schemes. TRI’s market analysis recommended routes between Thames-Tees-Forth, and also between Clyde-Mersey. These coastal MoS services would require some for of subsidy to help overcome investment costs in ships and terminals and the fact alternative roads are provided by the state. Subsequent work has led to TRI developing a new theory on MoS, defining the seaway as maritime infrastructure. As road transport constraints intensify it is anticipated that coastal MoS ferry services in the UK could develop quite soon. This again demonstrates the applied insights of research work undertaken by TRI researchers and the benefits of being able to identify commercial maritime transport opportunities in advance of the market, also with an important input to public policy and decision making.
 
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